SMU c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle) Forum

[TheRedBlueBerry]

I didn't see a SMU thread, so I figured I would start one.

Good luck to all the applicants!

[nmlf16]

I applied on 11/16. Got my status checker email on 11/21 and went complete on 11/26.

[lookingin]

Checking in

I don't expect we'll hear anything until the end of January though...

[KingsCup]

Checking in

I don't expect we'll hear anything until the end of January though...

I don't think so either, from what I've heard SMU moves really slowly, which is a huge bummer as it is probably one of the decisions I care the most about

[kalvano]

SMU 3L. Please feel free to PM or ask here with any questions.

[KingsCup]

SMU 3L. Please feel free to PM or ask here with any questions.

What is your favorite part of the school, and what do you feel the perks of going to SMU are? I go to school at USC and heard from a friend that SMU is very similar, which prompted me to check it out. I liked what I saw, ended up applying, and now it is one of my top choices that I feel I have a chance to get in at

[TheRedBlueBerry]

Checking in

I don't expect we'll hear anything until the end of January though...

I don't think so either, from what I've heard SMU moves really slowly, which is a huge bummer as it is probably one of the decisions I care the most about

Yeah, I've heard they move at a snails pace. And it's my top choice. Yay for waiting for law schools who take their sweet time!

[kalvano]

SMU 3L. Please feel free to PM or ask here with any questions.

What is your favorite part of the school, and what do you feel the perks of going to SMU are? I go to school at USC and heard from a friend that SMU is very similar, which prompted me to check it out. I liked what I saw, ended up applying, and now it is one of my top choices that I feel I have a chance to get in at

People are very friendly to each other, and we have some top-notch professors and adjunct professors. Also, if you want to work in Dallas and aren't going to a T14, no place better.

As far as admittance, they are an LSAT school. I don't know how they keep that GPA median, but if you are a 164-165, you should be in and probably with money, as long as you've got at least a 3.0.

[Jredelman15]

checking in applied 11/06 complete 11/12. Kalvano it's great to see you in this thread. can you talk about the PT program? Success stories of people in it?

[kalvano]

I'm FT, so I don't know that much. If you search SMU PT, there have been some good posts on it by PT people.

I think it's very comparable to the FT program though. If you have good grades, you'll do well at OCI.

[KingsCup]

SMU 3L. Please feel free to PM or ask here with any questions.

What is your favorite part of the school, and what do you feel the perks of going to SMU are? I go to school at USC and heard from a friend that SMU is very similar, which prompted me to check it out. I liked what I saw, ended up applying, and now it is one of my top choices that I feel I have a chance to get in at

People are very friendly to each other, and we have some top-notch professors and adjunct professors. Also, if you want to work in Dallas and aren't going to a T14, no place better.

As far as admittance, they are an LSAT school. I don't know how they keep that GPA median, but if you are a 164-165, you should be in and probably with money, as long as you've got at least a 3.0.

Ya thats my problem, I have a 167 but I have a 2.8 in mechanical engineering, no idea how schools judge that.

[kalvano]

I think you still have a really good shot. That's above their median LSAT and apps are down.

[smustang]

Kalvano, are you familiar with how selective the process is for becoming a Hatton Sumners scholar?

[kalvano]

Kalvano, are you familiar with how selective the process is for becoming a Hatton Sumners scholar?

Pretty selective, since it's the only full ride they give out. I don't know too much about it, but I know they don't pick a lot of them.

[nouseforaname123]

checking in applied 11/06 complete 11/12. Kalvano it's great to see you in this thread. can you talk about the PT program? Success stories of people in it?

4E checking in, what do you want to know?

[TheJanitor6203]

For the part time student..

How do you rate your experience as a pt student? Do you feel that you have been given the same opportunities as the ft students? I.E. you have the same shot at moot court, law review, internships, summering and now job opportunities? I'm applying to both next cycle but I think I'll have a better shot at getting into the pt program.

[nouseforaname123]

For the part time student..

How do you rate your experience as a pt student? Do you feel that you have been given the same opportunities as the ft students? I.E. you have the same shot at moot court, law review, internships, summering and now job opportunities? I'm applying to both next cycle but I think I'll have a better shot at getting into the pt program.

IMHO, the opportunities are the same. The real distinction between FT & PT is for PT-students who are working full time. The real limitation is based on what a PT-student's work schedule will permit that student to do.

I worked FT for my first three years of school. I made Law Review, but did not do Moot Court or a judicial internship because of my work schedule. As far as Summer Associate positions and FT jobs, I had no problem in either area. Job opportunities at SMU are mostly determined academic performance, as opposed to status in the FT or PT program.

For a PT student who does not work, the distinction between PT and FT is meaningless after the second year in the program.

[lnh819]

In response to a question several posts back, I also applied for the Sumners scholarship. Your numbers are much better than mine so I think you have some sort of chance at it. They only give 4-6 out a year so I imagine it's pretty selective! I never received any sort of confirmation that they received my scholarship application and letters of recommendation but I haven't followed up on it myself either. My actual application to the school itself is complete.

[YYZ]

My understanding from talking to lawyers in Dallas is that, in general, they are impressed with the PT students for 2 reasons:

1. Working full time and going to law school is very difficult; and
2. Work experience/maturity is looked upon favorably.

I would definitely attend FT if you have the opportunity. PT or FT, law school takes up a ton of your time, so it's nice if you can devote 100% to it.

But, if the PT works better for you, I think the opportunities are out there.

[KingsCup]

I think you still have a really good shot. That's above their median LSAT and apps are down.

Thats what I'm hoping, I'd really like to end up there

[TheJanitor6203]

My understanding from talking to lawyers in Dallas is that, in general, they are impressed with the PT students for 2 reasons:

1. Working full time and going to law school is very difficult; and
2. Work experience/maturity is looked upon favorably.

I would definitely attend FT if you have the opportunity. PT or FT, law school takes up a ton of your time, so it's nice if you can devote 100% to it.

But, if the PT works better for you, I think the opportunities are out there.

I want to go to the FT program but being realistic I think I'm only going to get accepted into the PT program. I haven't taken the LSAT yet, I'm taking it in Feb but my highest practice test is a 154 so far. I've still got about 2 months to study so I know that I will bring my score up. My initial practice LSAT score was a 147 (second was a 149 and the 154 was my 3rd) and from what I understand to get into FT I need about a 165. So I'm saying I think I will only get into PT because I don't think I will be able to raise my score all the way up to a 165. I think somewhere around 160-163 is pretty realistic. Plus my LSAC GPA is only going to be about a 3.2.

I don't want to work while I'm in school even if I'm in the PT program but I may get a small part time job if that's the route I take.

[TheJanitor6203]

I think you still have a really good shot. That's above their median LSAT and apps are down.

Why do you think the apps are down? Has this been a trend over the past few years or just this year?

[KingsCup]

I think you still have a really good shot. That's above their median LSAT and apps are down.

Why do you think the apps are down? Has this been a trend over the past few years or just this year?

The last couple of years, because of the lagging job market, law school applications as a whole have had a downward trend

[mg7]

checking in. waiting for my dec lsat score however.

[TheJanitor6203]

I think you still have a really good shot. That's above their median LSAT and apps are down.

Why do you think the apps are down? Has this been a trend over the past few years or just this year?

The last couple of years, because of the lagging job market, law school applications as a whole have had a downward trend

Well good for me. Hopefully that trend continues through next cycle when I apply!